Peak district Canal Boat Holidays now have an added appeal in that a programme of cycle events are to take place over the next few weeks.

They have been arranged by the Peak District National Park Authority in a bid to get people active while enjoying the best of the great outdoors.

John Fern, head of communications for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: 'All the sessions are run by qualified staff and will take place on and around some of the 58 miles of off-road cycling trails that we have in the national park countryside.

'The four events take place throughout May and include everything from basic bike maintenance to courses on how to improve cycling confidence.

Women on Wheels, for example, will involve participants travelling along a ten to 15-mile course that navigates off-road routes to show how safe cycling can be.

The Peak District was designated as a national park in 1951, making it the first in Britain.